Sport Aberdeen is working in Aberdeen to #KeepThePromise by using a child-centred approach to its work, ensuring young people are the voice of the support they receive.

Sport Aberdeen works with the aims of The Promise in mind when delivering its innovative SPACE (Supported Physical Activity for Care Experienced) programme that positively shapes the lives of care-experienced children through the transformative power of connection, sport and physical activity. With the delivery of this programme, Sport Aberdeen demonstrates its dedication to supporting care-experienced young people in the city by ensuring they have opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Katrina Carr, Lead Active Schools Coordinator at Sport Aberdeen, explains the essence of the programme: “Our SPACE programme is a one-to-one bespoke initiative to support care-experienced young people. We’re also looking at how we support their siblings, families, caregivers and their wider support networks to become more active. Essentially, we use sport and physical activity to create positive behaviour change.”

Kim McRobbie, Active Schools and EDI Manager, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the holistic approach of the programme: “From an organisational perspective, it’s important that this comes from a top-down approach. Our Chief Executive has made it clear that supporting care-experienced young people is a priority. This message is disseminated throughout the organisation, making it a topic of discussion and action across all areas of our work.”

Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to care-experienced children goes beyond the activities of the SPACE programme. It’s about creating an inclusive culture within the organisation.

Kim emphasises the importance of this top-down approach: “Through discussions with the leadership team, it’s clear that supporting care-experienced young people is a priority for Sport Aberdeen as a whole – it’s not just limited to the Active Schools arm of the organisation.”

Kim further elaborates on the importance of supporting the entire family unit: “Supported memberships and the whole family approach is crucial. If we can create a more positive environment, we’re setting up not just the young people for success, but also their families. This holistic approach is essential for breaking the generational impact of the care system.”

Katrina adds: “We’re not always trying to add to a young person’s life but use the positive relationships they already have to create a support network. It’s about listening to what the young people need and piecing the jigsaw together to support them effectively.”

Both Kim and Katrina passionately advocate for the role of sport and physical activity in the development and well-being of care-experienced children.

Kim explains: “Sport and physical activity offers a host of transferable skills.

“Beyond physical and mental well-being, they teach turn-taking, social skills and a sense of belonging. These are crucial for building positive relationships with peers and adults.”

Katrina agrees, emphasising the broader impact of sport: “Participating in sport can open pathways to employment and higher education. Through our SPACE programme, we provide opportunities away from the traditional classroom setup, giving young people tangible skills and experiences.”

The SPACE programme supports children from primary age through to secondary school leavers. Katrina shares a touching story: “We’ve had young people who couldn’t ride a bike or swim, skills you’d think are just part of childhood. By providing bikes, helmets and swimming lessons, we’ve given them opportunities they might not have had otherwise. This sense of belonging is crucial.”

Kim adds: “It’s about taking those two words ‘corporate parent’ and losing the ‘corporate’ part. It’s about being the parent for the children, ensuring they have the happy, healthy experiences every child deserves.”

The impact of the SPACE programme is profound. Katrina recounts numerous success stories: “We’ve seen young people who initially couldn’t engage in conversation develop the confidence to lead activities and even find employment. The progress they make week to week is incredible.”

Kim highlights the importance of celebrating these achievements: “We use SPACE journals to document their journey. These journals are filled with jokes and fun things that have happened, challenges overcome, and successes. One parent was overwhelmed by the positive reinforcement their child received, seeing the sense of achievement and pride in their eyes.”

The Promise has also facilitated greater collaboration among organisations. Kim notes: “The Promise has brought organisations together, helping us identify gaps and improve our services. By working together, we can provide a more comprehensive support system for care-experienced young people.”

Looking ahead, Kim hopes to extend these opportunities beyond Aberdeen: “We’re fortunate that Sport Aberdeen values opportunities for care-experienced young people. We aim to ensure that regardless of postcode, all care-experienced children get equal opportunities to benefit from our programmes.”

To ask any questions or find out more about the SPACE project, please email space@sportaberdeen.co.uk